Just like our face and body, our hands deserve almost the same level of care and attention. Soft, well-moisturised hands not only feel good but also reflect overall personal hygiene and grooming, leaving an everlasting impression on people. But then, our hands are constantly exposed to water, soap, sun, heat and sometimes cold weather. Stripping the skin off its natural oils is common. For those who wash hands frequently or use hand sanitiser, this habit can cause extreme dryness specially in winters. This is why hand moisturisation becomes inevitable, be to restore hydration, maintain the skin’s barrier, or prevent dryness, and irritation. Well-moisturised are less prone to conditions like eczema and dermatitis as well. This short read explores natural remedies for cracked dry and dull hands and benefits of using a non-toxic and herb-based hand salve.

Also Read: Lanolin For Skin: Benefits, Uses And How to Add It to Your Routine

Why Are Hand Salves Used?

To promote healing of minor abrasions and improve overall skin health, many herbal emollients are available in the market. Some of these natural ointments made from medicinal herbs, oils, and beeswax (or other natural waxes) also called hand salves are commonly used to soothe, protect, and heal the skin, which may have been exposed to harsh conditions. Here is how herbal hand salves benefit us:

Moisturises Dry Or Cracked Skin

Oils like olive, coconut, or jojoba and waxes in salves deeply hydrate the skin and help with skin affected by dryness, weather, or frequent handwashing.

Soothe Irritation And Inflammation

Many herbs have anti-inflammatory properties, calming redness, itching, or rashes. Moreover, the wax layer seals moisture in and keeps environmental irritants out besides speeding up the healing of cuts, scrapes, or abrasions.

Reduce Pain Or Skin Soreness

Some herbs like arnica used in salves can reduce pain or bruising when applied topically. Antibacterial herbs in them can also help prevent infection or itching.

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Common Herbs And Their Benefits For Hands

Check out what specific herbs are used in hand salves and how they help to promote skin healing:

Calendula

  • Is an anti-inflammatory herb
  • Speeds healing of cuts, burns, and cracked skin
  • Gentle and ideal for sensitive skin

Chamomile

  • Soothes irritation
  • Calms redness of the skin
  • Helps with eczema and rashes

Lavender

  • Is an antibacterial herb
  • Provides calming scent
  • Aids healing and reduces pain and irritation

Arnica

  • Reduces inflammation of the skin
  • Decreases pain caused by infection or swelling

St. John’s Wort

  • Is anti-inflammatory and nerve-soothing herb
  • Helps with nerve pain or an irritated skin

Also Read: What is Lip Oil? 5 Amazing Benefits And How To Use It For A Luscious, Glossy Pout

When To Use Hand Salves?

The following situations need an application of a hand emollient or a salve:

  • After gardening or manual labour
  • During winter or dry weather
  • For eczema or dermatitis
  • On chapped knuckles or cuticles
  • Before bed to let it ger absorbed overnight

Also Read: Jojoba Oil Is Great For Indian Skin

DIY Herbal Hand Salve Recipe

In case you are wondering how to make a hand salve at home and how to go about choosing herbs based on specific skin concerns, here is a simple DIY herbal hand salve recipe along with guidance:

Ingredients:


•1 cup carrier oil to infuse the herbs and moisturise the skin. Olive, jojoba or sunflower oil are ideal ones

•1/2cup beeswax to solidify the salve and lock in moisture

•1/2 cup dried herbs for their healing properties. Calendula or chamomile are good options

•10 to 15 drops of essential oil to add scent and boosts benefits. Lavender and tea tree are great options


Method:


•Infuse the herbs in oil

•Place dried herbs in a clean, dry jar

•Cover completely with oil

•Let it sit in a sunny window for about four weeks, shaking daily or you can eat the oil and herbs in double boiler for three hours for a quicker option

•Strain the Oil

•Use cheesecloth to remove herbs and squeeze all the oil

•Melt beeswax

•In a double boiler, combine the herb-infused oil and beeswax

•Heat gently until beeswax is fully melted

•Add essential oils after removing it from the heat

•Pour into glass jar and let it harden 

•Your all-natural hand salve is ready but should be stored in a cool place

•It can be used for a six to eight weeks if stores properly


(This article is reviewed by Kalyani Krishna, Chief Content Editor)

Author Profile: Preeti Sharma

Preeti Sharma has a master’s in electronic media and mass communication and certification in short-term writing from Florida. With close to a decade of experience, she specializes in crafting engaging blogs on beauty, veterinary care, and healthy cooking. Preeti is proficient in video editing tools and produces captivating and informative content across multiple platforms.

References:

Regular use of a hand cream can attenuate skin dryness and roughness caused by frequent hand washing

Günter Kampf, Joachim Ennen

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1397860/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0196655317307678